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Author
Topic: Need honest assesment (HIV risk) (Read 8212 times)

I'm male.I recently had unprotected oral sex with a man of unknown status. It is my first time to experience sex (No anal / no viginal). I deep throated him and swallowed his semen after ejaculation I'm not sure about the condition of my throat if it doesn't have a cut or bleeding. I thought oral sex was safe sex but I was wrong based on some websites. What worries me is that I have a phlegm in my throat during that oral sex because of the cough I'm experiencing. I'm worrying maybe I put my self at risk of HIV and the phlegm will add more risk to me. after about two weeks I experience diarreah that lasted about three days, I also had mouth sore, cough, muscle twitches and aches. I also experience sweating of feet and hand and headaches which I think is coming from the eyes, which bothers me because It is not usual for me to experience those things all at the same time. Do I need to test for HIV because of this? and also one more question, because I read here that saliva can protect us from the virus. How about if the person has a high viral load? does saliva can still act to kill the virus? Please I hope you can honestly asses my situation. I'm very very much worried. That experience gave me a trauma because of ignorance about HIV.

Basically you are worrying needlessly. The risk from giving oral to another guy is only theoretical. Your saliva contains over a dozen elements and proteins which very effectively prevent the transmission of viable HIV.

There is no risk whatsoever from receiving a blowjob.

I don't see any need for testing for HIV unless you need the inevitable negative result strictly for your peace of mind.

While I would certainly categorize your incident as very LOW risk, I on't think I could in good faith call it ZERO risk. If a person has a high viral load, and if your oral cavity was compromised, there might be the faintest possibility. I cannot quantify it, because no study other than those done with (highly unreliable) patient report after transmission has found any infections through oral sex of any kind. Like Andy said, it's theoretically possible, but has yet to be borne out in verifiable conditions.

However, I would not think to test - 0r recommend a test - over this single incident. You should, however, be getting at least two complete STD panels a year, including a routine HIV test.

Logged

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

So you still don't recommend testing on my situation? What bothers me is that the symptoms I'm experiencing especially diarrhea and mouthsore and also headaches coming from the eyes. Does a lack of fever, swollen lymphnodes, rashes a good indication that I'm not really inffected? because as of now I haven't have those symptoms only the one I mentioned above. But still quite worried because I read in this forum from the newly infected person (POZ forum) claiming that they got infection from oral sex. Do you think I don't have to believe them? it somehow gives panic to some readers. But I keep myself calm and try to follow your advice. although I must admit that I'm very anxious.

There is nothing in anyway HIV specific about any of your symptoms. You should discuss them with your doctor.

As I said previously, I don't see a need for testing unless you need that inevitable negative result just for your peace of mind. You can test at 6 weeks. A negative at that point in this situation will very strongly point the way to another negative and conclusive result at 3 months.

Just one more question regarding saliva.Is it scientifically proven that it really kills HIV? because I'm just wondering why some doctors are hesitant to say that. usually they tell that there is still a risk and recommend also testing. just being confused.

Just one more question regarding saliva.Is it scientifically proven that it really kills HIV? because I'm just wondering why some doctors are hesitant to say that. usually they tell that there is still a risk and recommend also testing. just being confused.

Yes. There is a body of evidence which clearly demonstrates that human saliva contains substances which inactivate HIV.

We live in litigious days. Doctors have to be careful what they tell their patients. Nothing in medicine (like any science) is absolute. So, understandably, doctors often order tests "just to be sure".

Do you think it is absolute that saliva really kills HIV even when the person has a low immune system? Like me I always have a cough and phlegm even though I take medicine it's like I always have cough. to be honest I don't have the courage to take a test as of now. I'm very afraid that the result might be positive. But I consider your advice that it is not risky. I'm just bothered with my immune system and I'm not sure if the person I had oral sex has a high viral load if ever he is positive. I'm just hoping that that person is negative. I was really traumatized with my first sexual experience (oral sex). I think I'm not gonna repeat it again.

have you ever encountered a person infected through oral sex? or have you experienced giving a wrong assesment on a person that later on turned out positive through oral sex?

Sorry for asking too much. I'm really afraid to take a test now. that's why I'm just relying on your advice. I hope I'm not wrong not to take an HIV test.

Sorry but I read this on the net. Is this true? It can happen that there is no symtoms for 10 years?

AIDS begins with HIV infection. People who are infected with HIV may have no symptoms for 10 years or longer, but they can still transmit the infection to others during this symptom-free period. If the infection is not detected and treated, the immune system gradually weakens and AIDS develops.

Acute HIV infection progresses over time (usually a few weeks to months) to asymptomatic HIV infection (no symptoms) and then to early symptomatic HIV infection. Later, it progresses to AIDS (advanced HIV infection with CD4 T-cell count below 200 cells/mm3 ).

Almost all people infected with HIV, if they are not treated, will develop AIDS. There is a small group of patients who develop AIDS very slowly, or never at all. These patients are called nonprogressors, and many seem to have a genetic difference that prevents the virus from significantly damaging their immune system.

The symptoms of AIDS are mainly the result of infections that do not normally develop in people with a healthy immune system. These are called opportunistic infections.

People with AIDS have had their immune system damaged by HIV and are very susceptible to these opportunistic infections. Common symptoms are:

Chills Fever Sweats (particularly at night) Swollen lymph glands Weakness Weight loss Note: At first, infection with HIV may produce no symptoms. Some people, however, do experience flu-like symptoms with fever, rash, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes, usually 2 - 4 weeks after contracting the virus. Some people with HIV infection stay symptom-free for years between the time when they are exposed to the virus and when they develop AIDS

■Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusive negative result, or no-risk situation will be subject to a four week Time Out (a temporary ban from the Forums). If you continue to post excessively after one Time Out, you may be given a second Time Out which will last eight weeks. There is no third Time Out - it is a permanent ban. The purpose of a Time Out is to encourage you to seek the face-to-face help we cannot provide on this forum.

Well that is your choice then to not test. I wouldn't expect anything other than a negative result if you do test.

But I can tell you were are not going to be available to continue a back and forth about this incident with you. Testing is strictly for your peace of mind and seems to me to make good sense rather than continuing to nurse your fears, however unfounded they are.

But as I said, testing is up to you. I don't see HIV as being a problem for you at this time.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Basically you are worrying needlessly. The risk from giving oral to another guy is only theoretical. Your saliva contains over a dozen elements and proteins which very effectively prevent the transmission of viable HIV.

There is no risk whatsoever from receiving a blowjob.

I don't see any need for testing for HIV unless you need the inevitable negative result strictly for your peace of mind.

This is not an HIV situation. Period.

Our focus here is on evaluating the specifics of each situation. No, we do not have statistics on how many HIV+ there are in Saudi. It's totally irrelevant. What matters is what you do sexually and not who you do it with nor what the rate of infection is in a particular area.

Unfortunately you are considering everything through an HIV jitters mindset. I've already told you that testing is strictly for your peace of mind and not because you had any real risk.

At this point I am going to warn you that if you continue to return here with more what ifs over this non-risk situation, you are going to find yourself getting a Time Out from the site for at least 28 days. Stop the drama now and get on with your life. If I thought there was a real risk I would say so.

If oral sex is a no risk situation, why are some doctors still recomend PEP for cases of oral sex especially for a person who swallowed semen? I read in other forums some people who are recommended for Pep but their only exposure was oral sex.

We're not responsible for what others put out on the web. For sure if you continue to surf the web you will find lots to feed your worst fears and all to no good purpose.

You've gotten clear and accurate evaluations of your basically non-risk situation. Do with it what you will.

Now I am going to warn you that if you continue to come back with more what ifs about your non-risk, you are going to get at least a 28 day Time Out from the site. We are not going to hand hold you everytime you have another burst of HIV-related anxiety.

As of now I cannot take an HIV test because I'm staying in a country that is very strict against homosexual. I'm afraid to get a test here. But will wait a few more months for my vacation in other country so I can take the test there.

But my anxiety is torturing me. Do you think it is advisable if I take anti anxiety medicine while waiting for the right time to test? I was really traumatized with this sexual experience because of fear in HIV. I think I'm not gonna repeat this again.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Is it possible for a symptoms of HIV to appear after 3 months post exposure? because right now I have a tonsillitis and have difficulty to swallow. I'm afraid this is a symptom of HIV. I still haven't tested yet because I'm still here in Saudi Arabia. I'm still waiting for my vacation to get tested in other country. But my anxiety is going a little bit down. but right now I have a tonsillitis I'm afraid this is connected with HIV symptoms I hope you can help me by giving advice. My possible exposure is still oral sex I have done 3 months ago no other sex exposure other than that one.

There is nothing in anyway HIV specific about any of your symptoms. You should discuss them with your doctor.

As I said previously, I don't see a need for testing unless you need that inevitable negative result just for your peace of mind. You can test at 6 weeks. A negative at that point in this situation will very strongly point the way to another negative and conclusive result at 3 months.

But I say again, I don't see this as being an HIV situation.

At this point I am going to warn you that if you continue to return here with more what ifs and fears which have no basis in HIV science, you are going to find yourself getting a Time Out for 28 days from the site.

There is no sound basis for your fears about HIV. Stop the drama and get on with your life.